A new book was launched in Limerick on 2nd March 2009 at the Dominican Biblical Institute, Cecil St.

In Regeneration public good or private profit, Dr. John Bissett takes the lid off a model of regeneration that wasted public resources, and failed the needs of communities in need of those resources.

It documents the trials and triumphs of the regeneration process at St Michael's Estate, Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland from the community perspective.

Dr Bissett uncovers the mechanics of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a model, names the deliberate exclusion of a community, and tells the story behind decisions and actions.

This book exposes the appalling social consequences and loss of public monies which occurs when those responsible for public decision making ignore international standards for housing provision and the rights of local communities to be involved in shaping their future. It explains how rules for regeneration were written behind closed doors for the benefit of the developer and the banks and how this was then defined as the common good.

This book is a must read for local residents, civil servants, academics, developers, community workers, politicians, students and anyone with an interest in not only social justice, but for transparent and accountable expenditure of public monies.

At a time when large areas in Limerick are being proposed for regeneration, it is essential that the lessons from regenerations such as St Michaels Estate and elsewhere are transferred and learned from, especially in communities of high disadvantage and inequality.

It is a must read for anyone concerned with the regeneration of Limerick.

Regeneration public good or private profit ? is available in all good Irish book stores, price €15. Or to order send a cheque made out to TASC for €18 (inc postage) to: Sinead Clancy, 118 St. Michael's Estate , Inchicore, Dublin 8, Ireland. (Supported by the Equality Studies Centre, School of Social Justice, UCD and TASC/New Island)

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